Bobbins and Boots (Baker City Brides Book 4) Read online

  “Gracious, lovey, it sounds like you’ve had a most wonderful afternoon with Ben. Run over to the pump and wash your hands.” Jemma gave Jack a nudge in the direction of the pump located just outside the bunkhouse. Cowboys waited their turn to wash their hands and faces before sitting down to the meal.

  Thane caught up to them with freshly scrubbed hands and took Lily from Ben so he could get in line to wash.

  Ben joked with the other men as they made their way inside and sat down in their usual places. Sam, the bunkhouse cook, set a platter of steaks on the table then sat down. Thane offered thanks for their meal before everyone started passing around bowls of mashed potatoes, gravy, warm biscuits, and fresh green beans from the garden.

  While those around him discussed their day or teased Lily and Jack, Ben kept mulling over the notion of Joe Lambery sending for a wife. The man was mean, contrary, and just plain nasty. Why would someone like that want a bride, anyway? Most of the time, Joe didn’t even have a roof over his head, sleeping out under the stars. No woman in her right mind would willingly marry a man like that.

  Uncertain when his mouth had gained the ability to function without his consent, he glanced down the table at Thane, surprised as anyone when his thoughts spilled out of his mouth. “What are we gonna do about Joe Lambery’s bride?”

  Silence settled around the table. Thane glanced at Jemma and then Ben, assuming his wife had been the one to tell the young man about Miss Tillman’s arrival. “I don’t know that there’s much we can do. Hattie and Edwin have given her a job at the boardinghouse until she can decide her next step. Although I strongly cautioned against her marrying Joe, there isn’t much else we can do.”

  Unable to stop himself, Ben set down his fork and stared at Thane. “But we all know ol’ Joe ain’t nothing but a bad egg. He shoots out enough corral dust to pull the wool over the eyes of anyone not already versed in his scalawag ways.”

  For the life of him, Ben had no idea why he cared a whit about Joe’s mail-order bride. The few days Joe Lambery had worked on the Jordan Ranch, he’d harassed Ben until the easy-going boy had engaged the ruffian in fisticuffs. If Thane hadn’t intervened, Ben had no doubt he would have knocked Joe a week into the future before he finished with him. Perhaps the fact Joe had rubbed him in the wrong direction led to his inexplicable interest in thwarting the man’s matrimonial plans.

  “What are you proposing, Ben? Should we ride into town and kidnap the bride-to-be?” Thane asked, keeping his face impassive although his voice held a note of mirth.

  “Now you’re talking.” Ben grinned and winked at Jack who stared at him with wide eyes. He took a bite of potatoes smothered in gravy before he looked back at Thane. “Aw, shoot, boss. You know I’m just joshin’, but I feel sorry for any woman that ends up saddled with a thievin’ dunderhead like Joe.”

  “Agreed, but I have an idea Miss Tillman is smart enough to make a wise decision without any interference from us,” Thane said.

  Ben nodded his head, and resumed eating his supper, curious to see the woman who might yet become Joe Lambery’s bride.

  Chapter Three

  “Hey, Ben. Would you do me a favor?” Thane asked as Ben swung out of his saddle and led Cisco over to the watering trough outside the barn.

  “Sure, boss. What do you need?” Ben loosened the cinch then absently rubbed a hand along the horse’s neck.

  “Jemma bought a whole mess of blackberries when we were in town the other day. After the fiasco of taking Lily to pick berries, we both decided it was worth it to buy them already picked.”

  Ben recalled the day Thane and Jemma took the children up in the hills to pick berries. Lily fell in the creek and nearly drowned. On top of that, she’d eaten so many berries, she threw up all the way home and had a tummy ache that kept the family awake all night.

  “I can see where that would be a wise decision.” Ben grinned at his employer. “Do you need me to pick up more berries?”

  “No. Jemma has enough of them to feed half the army, but she ran out of canning jars. Would you mind going to Miller’s Mercantile and picking up ten dozen jars? She’d go herself, but she’s already in the middle of making pies and didn’t want to stop.” Thane smirked and gave Ben a smug look. “And I don’t want to interrupt that process either. I’d run into town, but I’m waiting for Ian to bring out a load of lumber for the corral.”

  “It’s no problem, Thane. I’ll change my shirt and be ready to go in a few minutes.” Ben started to pull the saddle off Cisco, but Thane gave him a good-natured shove toward the bunkhouse. His employer pulled a face, one Ben had seen him make when he came across a rotting skunk carcass.

  “You might want to wash up a little, too. You smell like you’ve been outside, working for a living,” Thane joked. He removed Cisco’s saddle and held it on his arm as he looked at Ben. “You get cleaned up and I’ll take care of Cisco.”

  Ben hurried toward the bunkhouse, stopping long enough to pet Rigsly, the curly-coated retriever that traveled all the way from England when Jemma and the children came to America with Thane.

  “Are you staying out of trouble, Rigs? Huh, boy?” Ben removed a piece of jerky from his pocket and gave it to the dog, scratching him behind the ears before continuing to the bunkhouse.

  When he stepped inside, Sam stood at the stove stirring a pot. From the rich, beefy aroma in the air, Ben knew they’d be eating beef stew that night. “Smells good, Sam. What else is for supper?”

  “I’m making cornbread to go with the stew and Jemma promised to bring over blackberry pies for dessert.” Sam wiped his hands on a dishtowel as Ben stepped over to his bunk and removed his chaps, gun belt, and boots. “Why are you in here in the middle of the day?”

  Ben tossed him a quick glance as he peeled off his sweaty shirt. “Boss asked me to run into town to pick up some supplies for Jemma. You need anything from the mercantile?”

  “Actually, I do.” Sam took a list he’d tacked on the wall near the icebox and pulled a pencil from a drawer. While Ben gave himself a quick sponge bath and changed into clean clothes, the cook added several items to the list.

  Ben tamped his feet back into his boots, fastened his gun belt around his hips, and tied a blue paisley kerchief around his neck over the top of his dark blue shirt shot with light blue and white stripes. He tugged on a black vest and made sure he had plenty of money to jingle in his pocket. Although he hadn’t shaved, he slapped a little aftershave on his cheeks and rubbed it along his neck.

  Sam lifted a bushy eyebrow and grinned. “Well, aren’t you all spiffed up and purty?” he teased, handing Ben his list.

  Ben stuffed it in his pocket then shrugged. “Never know when you might run into a pretty girl.” He opened the cookie jar Sam kept on the counter and fished out three cookies, taking a bite out of one.

  Sam chuckled. “More than likely, it’s you going looking for them. You’re just lucky Tully up and married Brianna last month. Now there’s less competition to capture the attention of all those sweet young things in town.”

  “You know it.” Ben lifted a new black Stetson off a peg above his bed and settled the hat on his head before he rushed out the door. He jogged over to the barn where Thane finished hitching a team to the wagon.

  “Ready to go?” his employer asked as he approached.

  “Yep. Sam gave me a list. Does Jemma need anything beyond canning jars?” Ben handed Thane one of the cookies in his hand, earning an appreciative nod.

  “She had Jack write down a few items she thinks she needs.” Thane held out a slip of paper. “Also, she said if it wouldn’t be any bother, she’d appreciate you running by the boardinghouse to deliver a few pies.”

  “That’s no problem at all.” Ben climbed up to the wagon seat while Thane set two boxes full of pies in the wagon bed and covered them with a clean cloth to keep off the dust.

  Thane gave him a warning glance. “Be sure those pies make it to town. Jemma won’t be happy if you eat them on the way there.”

  A mirthful light danced in Ben’s eyes as he lifted the reins and released the brake. “I’m wounded you’d even think I’d consider doing such a thing, boss.”

  Thane thumped him on the leg. “I know you too well, Ben. Be careful and we’ll see you when you get back.”

  Ben flicked the reins and guided the team down the lane and up the hill to the road that led into town.

  An hour later, he glanced around as the wagon rolled down the main street of Baker City. Ben waved at Maggie MacGregor as she swept the walk in front of her dress shop. He traveled a few blocks further before turning left and parking near Frank Miller’s mercantile.

  As he stepped inside, he inhaled the scents of coffee, pickles, leather, and the flowery fragrance of women’s perfume from a display near the counter where Frank rang up purchases. Ben waited until Frank finished with his customer and bid the lovely Mrs. Palmer good day.

  The store owner greeted him with a welcoming smile. “I’m surprised to see you, Ben. What brings you to town in the middle of the week in the middle of the day?”

  “Blackberries,” Ben said, working to keep a straight face.

  “Blackberries?” Frank shot him a confused look. “What have blackberries got to do with anything?”

  “Jemma is canning them today and ran out of jars. She wants ten dozen jars and whatever is on this list.” Ben placed the piece of paper Thane had given him on the counter. “And Sam needs these supplies.”

  Frank read both lists then pointed toward a doorway that led to a stock room. “You go on back there and get the jars. While you load them, I’ll round up the rest of the supplies. The jars are on the west wall, next to the pickle crocks.”

  Ben ambled into the stock room and located the jars then loaded them in
the wagon. When he finished, he helped Frank carry out the three boxes of supplies then returned inside. He browsed over the new books and selected one. He gathered tooth powder, shaving soap, and a new razor before returning to the counter. As Frank rang up his selections, Ben added a sack of peppermint drops to his purchases, popping one of the candies in his mouth.

  “That going to be all today?” Frank asked.

  “Sure is.” Ben paid for his purchases and signed a ledger, charging Jemma and Sam’s supplies to Thane’s account.

  Frank took the pen from Ben, dipped it back in the inkwell, and made note of the date. “Tell Jemma I’ll be getting in a new supply of spices next week. She said she wanted to stock up on cinnamon and nutmeg.”

  “Will do, Frank. Have a good day.” Ben gave the storeowner a wave and sauntered out the door. He set his paper-wrapped parcel on the floor beneath the seat then took the reins, released the brake, and guided the team to the boardinghouse.

  Ben carried both boxes of pies to the front door and tapped twice before he pushed it open. Cautious not to disturb any boarders who might be there, he quietly walked down the hallway to the kitchen at the back of the house and stepped inside. Hattie stood at the sink peeling potatoes.

  “Hey, Hattie. Jemma sent in some blackberry pies,” Ben said, smiling as the woman turned around. “Where would you like them?”

  “Oh, goodness, Ben. Just set them on the table.” Hattie wiped her hands on her voluminous apron and took one box from him, setting it on the table. “How nice of you to bring these in.”

  “Nothing nice about it.” Ben lifted an eyebrow and tipped his head in the direction of a plate full of sweets sitting on the counter. “I was hoping you’d thank me with a tart or a piece of cake.”

  Hattie laughed and motioned for him to take a seat at the table. “Bribery, is it? You jolly well know you’re welcome to come and enjoy tea with us anytime.”

  “I know, and for that I’m grateful.” Ben sat down as Hattie set a piece of cake in front of him along with a glass of milk. She treated him as if he was an overgrown boy most of the time. If she’d pinched his cheeks, he wouldn’t have been a bit surprised. Since he’d been without any motherly attention from the time he turned thirteen, he didn’t mind at all.

  While he ate the cake, Hattie continued preparations for dinner as they talked about events taking place in town and people they both knew.

  He’d just finished the last of his milk and stood to carry the plate and glass to the sink when the front door banged open.

  “Where is she?” a voice bellowed down the hall. “Where’s my wife?”

  Ben cast a worried glance at Hattie. The two of them hastened down the hall. He wasn’t surprised in the least to see Joe Lambery in the foyer.

  “I want my wife!” Joe yelled, trying to push past Ben.

  The sound of the stairs creaking drew Ben’s gaze upward as Edwin Greenfield hurried down them. Edwin looked relieved to have Ben there to help run interference with the angry man.

  “You don’t have a wife, Joe,” Ben said. He shoved Joe out the door. Edwin and Hattie followed them onto the front porch.

  Joe swung at Ben, catching nothing more than air with his fist. Ben grabbed the back of Joe’s shirt collar and waist of his britches, forcefully walking him down the steps and out the front gate of the yard.

  The cuss words pouring out of Joe’s mouth made Hattie gasp while Edwin hustled down the steps, ready to offer his assistance if Ben required it.

  Ben turned Joe loose and ducked when the man tried to punch him again. With his own temper brewing, Ben was ready to throw a punch. His fist stopped mid-air when a young woman stepped around the corner and headed their way down the boardwalk.

  Tall and willowy, a smile rested on her pink lips as she studied the houses she walked past on her way to the boardinghouse. Sunlight gleaming around her blond head made it seem as though she wore a halo.

  Transfixed, Ben forgot about Joe Lambery and his crazy plans to wed. He simply allowed himself the pleasure of watching the girl move toward him with slight sway to her skirts and a lively bounce to her step.

  He grunted when Joe punched him in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. Before Ben could return the favor, Edwin stepped between them. “I don’t know who you are, sir, but that sort of uncivilized rot is not welcome in our home. You best be on your way before I summon the sheriff.”

  Joe scoffed, but he took a step away from Edwin. “I heard my bride arrived in town and someone saw her leave the depot with the folks that own the boardinghouse. I don’t want no trouble, I just want my wife.”

  “No. You shan’t have her,” Hattie bustled down the steps and shook a finger in Joe’s face. “Not while I have a breath left in my body.”

  “I paid for her to come here and I’m not leaving unless she goes with me.” Joe slid his hand down and rested it on the gun he wore around his hip. “And if I have to kill all three of you to get her, I’m not opposed to it.”

  “Listen here, Joe, there’s no need to get carried away.” Ben edged around Edwin, placing himself between Joe and the Greenfields. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the girl stop nearby. “This whole thing can be settled peacefully.”

  “It sure can, as soon as you give me my bride!” Joe shouted, swinging at Ben again.

  Fed up, Ben hit Joe on the chin. A loud crack filled the air as Joe’s head bobbled backward and he fell on the seat of his filthy pants. Although the blow didn’t render him unconscious, it did leave him stunned long enough Ben gave the girl watching the proceedings a glimpse, taking in the horrified look on her face.

  “That’s Joe Lambery?” she asked as she sidled next to Hattie.

  Ben heard her question and realized the woman had to be Joe’s mail-order bride. The innocent air about her made him determined to keep Joe from marrying her. He wouldn’t allow it. She was entirely too cute and appeared far too sweet to spend her life saddled with a horrible man like the one Ben had just knocked off his feet.

  Joe must have heard her question, too, because he lunged up and grabbed her arm in his hand. “Come on. If you’re Miss Tillman, we’re gettin’ hitched and that’s that.”

  “I’m Allie Tillman, but I won’t marry you, Mr. Lambery. I refuse.” The woman jerked her arm away from him. “Nothing you say or do will force me to wed you.”

  “Fine. Then you owe me forty-five dollars and something for my trouble. After all, I’ve been anticipating the arrival of my bride. I ought to get a little something out of it. We’ll head over to one of the hotels and have us a little fun. For that, I’ll knock five dollars off what you owe me. After I learn you up in the ways of men, you might just decide you want to stay with me. Either way, I intend to have a good time.” Joe grabbed her arm again and managed to move her a few yards down the boardwalk before she set her feet and yanked away from him. She stood a few inches taller than her dunderheaded fiancé, even if she was reed thin.

  Ben couldn’t help but admire her grit. When she pulled away from Joe, she punched him in the gut, much as Joe had done to Ben earlier.

  As Joe bent over, trying to catch his breath, she towered above him with a determined look on her face. “You’re a disgusting pig, Joe Lambery. If you were the last man left on the planet, I’d start running and keep going until I leaped off the edge of earth.”

  Quickly calculating how much money he had on him, Ben wondered if he could pay for Miss Tillman’s train ticket. Eleven dollars might keep Joe from marrying her, at least today. He fished the coins from his pocket and slapped them into Joe’s hand.

  “There’s part of your money. If you give me time to run to the bank, I’ll get the rest for you.” Ben moved so he blocked Joe from Miss Tillman.

  Joe looked at the money in his hands and shook his head. “I want it all, right now, or I’m taking the girl no matter what any of you say.”

  “How do I know you won’t try and make off with her if I leave to go to the bank?” Ben leveled a cool, knowing glare at Joe. “I can’t trust you any further than I could throw that wagon.” Ben tipped his head toward the wagon and team he’d left parked in front of the boardinghouse.

  “Now, Ben, there’s no call to be insulting,” Joe said, smiling as he jingled the coins in his hand.